The Situation of Young Children (0–6) in Seasonal Agricultural Migration in Türkiye

Abstract

This study examines the experiences and vulnerabilities of children aged 0–6 accompanying their families during seasonal agricultural migration in Turkey. Based on a qualitative case study in hazelnut-producing regions of the Black Sea, the research focuses on the developmental, educational, and social challenges faced by young children living in precarious, mobile conditions. Data were gathered through interviews with migrant mothers, field observations, and discussions with labor contractors and local stakeholders. Findings show that children in migratory agricultural settings face overlapping deprivations. These deprivations encompass limited or absent access to early childhood education, disrupted caregiving, unsafe environments, and inconsistent health services. Mothers experience high stress as they balance caregiving with long work hours. The study highlights how public policies and local services largely overlook the needs of these children, rendering them invisible in formal interventions. It calls for context-sensitive, age-appropriate support systems that uphold the rights and developmental needs of young children in agricultural labor contexts.